Zulu (film)

Zulu is a 1964 film that chronicles a company of British soldiers defending the mission station at Rorke's Drift during the Anglo-Zulu War of 1879. It is based on historical events, and marked the first major role in the long film career of Michael Caine.

Adendorff: What the hell do you mean, "cowardly blacks"? They died on your side, didn't they? And who the hell do you think is coming to wipe out your little command? The Grenadier Guards? [Adendorff begins to walk away]

Reynolds: You've got a fine handsome boil, my friend. There's one glistening boil for every soldier in Africa. You may not win any medals on this campaign, but you'll certainly get more boils. For every gunshot wound I probe, I expect to lance three boils.

Hook: Uh, a spot of medicinal brandy would set me up, sir.

Reynolds: Brandy's for heroes, Mr. Hook. The rest of you will make do with boils in your skin, flies in your meat, and dysentery in your bellies. Now - this will hurt you a lot more than it will me, I'm happy to say.

Bourne: They'll know my voice when they hear it, sir.

Witt: Let them hear it now, in praise of the Lord. Call upon Him - call upon Him, man, for your salvation!

Bourne: Well, as far as I can remember, sir, it goes something like this: "He maketh wars to cease in all the world. He breaketh the bow and snappeth the spear in sunder." Do you know it, sir?

Witt: "I shall be exalted among the heathen, I shall be exalted in the earth. The Lord of Hosts is with us."

Bourne: That's it, sir. [to troops in work detail] All right, nobody told you to stop working! You lead back-sided-- get sweatin'!

Maxfield: Pick up the rifle, Hook. And get to it! I'll make a soldier of you yet.

Hook: And what for? Did I ever see a Zulu walk down the City Road? No! So what am I doing here?

Maxfield: You're here because you were a liar, a coward, and a thief. Now you can be a soldier- like what they pay you for.

Private Cole: [After Mr. Witt's carriage rides off, Mr. Witt screaming the British soldiers are all doomed] He's right. Why does it have to be us? Why us?

In the hundred years since the Victoria Cross was created for valour and extreme courage beyond that normally expected of the British soldier in face of the enemy only 1344 have been awarded. Eleven of these were won by the defenders of the mission station at Rorke's Drift, Natal, January 22nd to the 23rd 1879.